English Foxhound
The English Foxhound is one of the most important breeds in the history of dog breeding — virtually every modern scent hound in the English tradition has been influenced by or developed from the English Foxhound.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United Kingdom
Lifespan
10–13 years
Weight
29–34 kg (65–75 lbs)
Height
58–69 cm (23–27 in)
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality large breed food appropriate for a working pack hound.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The English Foxhound is one of the most important breeds in the history of dog breeding — virtually every modern scent hound in the English tradition has been influenced by or developed from the English Foxhound. Developed from the 16th century onwards for fox hunting across the English countryside, the breed was maintained by the great English hunts (the Beaufort, Belvoir, Quorn, and others) with meticulous studbook records that are among the oldest in the dog world. As a pet, the English Foxhound is rare — it is bred for pack life and does not adapt well to solitary pet existence.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A large, powerfully built, balanced hound — broader and heavier than the American Foxhound. The coat is short, dense, and hard. Traditional tricolour. The overall impression is of a compact, powerful hunting machine.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Sociable, gentle, and pack-oriented — they need canine company. The scenting instinct is absolute — no reliable recall once on a scent. Not suitable as a solitary urban pet.
Living Profile
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •2+ hours vigorous exercise daily. Rural environment essential. Multi-dog household ideal. Low grooming.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Health Overview
Renal amyloidosis (inherited kidney disease) — elevated in English Foxhound lines. Hip dysplasia. Ear infections from pendant ears.
Common Conditions
Fun Facts
The English Foxhound studbook (maintained by the Masters of Foxhounds Association) dates to 1800 — making it one of the oldest continuously maintained pedigree records of any domestic animal breed in the world.
The English Foxhound has been so heavily selected for uniformity within packs (all dogs in a hunt must match in size, speed, and drive) that it is one of the most standardised dog breeds in the world — individual variation is minimal.
